Lotus or Flatus?

Has season 12 lived up to anyone’s expectations yet? The mid season finale comes only 8 episodes in, which is shorter than usual. So maybe the lead up is slow as I hold back a full rant on Andrew Dabb’s pacing and direction or lack thereof as the new show runner. Of course after Chuck where does one go unless the stories are more introspective and center around a smaller set of facts. Many pieces have been introduced: Mary Winchester, Lucifer’s spawn, BMoL, and the Cas and Crowley duo. The first few episodes center on the hunters’ world and then an aimless and angry Lucifer who seeks adulation through a rock star persona.

In the mid season finale, Lucifer possesses the President of the United States-LOTUS. It is easy to put aside political leanings for this episode as the character is never seen in the White House but rather in a retreat.(The episode was penned prior to the election results in the States, so the sarcasm may be imposed by current events). He is a religious widower, who is duped by Lucifer. Lucifer as the Prez does have a few zingers and it is the archangel’s first sexual experience which results in the latest  yet to be born nephilim. He experiences creation-good line! Sam and Dean continue to chase Lucifer with Cas, Crowley and Rowena in tow. Mr. Ketch, from the BMOL uses a grenade launcher to save the Winchesters from government agents and Cas gets to clean agents’ memories. Then Mr. Ketch brings along a convenient but very pretty artifact in the shape of an egg and a special exorcism for archangels. Sam’s hatred of Lucifer is in full mode as he exercises the exorcism which sends Lucifer out and down a heat ventilator in brilliant white smoke. Lucy telling Sam in the episode that it is not over. As the President survives without any recall of events, Sam and Dean are hauled off in heavy chains to a black ops location while Cas is duped by the expectant mother of the nephilim through a back door at a cafe and Crowley takes Rowena in a teleport puff as soon as Lucifer is extracted.  Enjoyed the episode but it was a bit flat for a mid season finale and perhaps that is intentional or Dabb is full of air and is floating along, searching for a goal. With the earlier time slot here in the States, when the series resumes, is the Winchester saga being watered down for a younger audience? Where is Supernatural headed?

There are the set ups for the second half of season 12. One hopes that these threads continue and that Mary has a significant role t2nd halfo play to save the Winchesters. She is out there learning about the world as her sons pursue Lucifer. Surely, Dabb intends to use her to save her children during the second half. Do I hear a major sacrifice coming to break hearts by the end of the season? Not sure how to process Mr. Ketch at this point as his original mission was to take out the Winchesters and now he saves them? Will the nephilim come to life or tucked away for future use?  Does Dabb have a vision that is so slow to roll out or is it a meander through Supernatural references from past seasons?

Noteworthy:

• Dean’s expression when Mr. Ketch gets to use a grenade launcher
• Mr. Ketch’s entrance music.
• Cas gets to wipe clean agents’ memories
• Cas doesn’t flinch when the grenade launcher goes off-he just waits there
• Baby protects Sam and Dean from the fire of the grenade launcher
• Sam’s emotion when he exorcises Lucifer with the “egg”
• Crowley disposing of Rowena’s two timing lover-“That’s the nicest thing (he) done for me(Rowena). There is a mother/son bond-watch for a parallel with Mary 2nd half
• Sam and Dean save the PROTUS as unsung heroes.
• Sam and Dean in heavy chains being taken away to a black ops interrogation site-the expression on their faces as they attempt to non verbally communicate- Reminds me a bit of early episodes when they were apprehended.\ by agent H.Good camera shots.
• The President acted for noble reasons not for self serving purposes
• Split conversation btwn President and Lucifer(not as well done as the Sam/Lucy one as it is not the focal point of the episode). Nice flashback in my brain.

Questions that leave one queasy:

• What powers does Cas have? He can clean minds but is duped by the pregnant presidential aide the same way Claire dumped him in prior season. Is Cas naive or a really slow learner?
• Where is the BMOL story going? Villain or savior? How should one feel?
• If Lucifer has been put back in the cage, it seems a bit too easy and makes that story line weak . Special effects were not that special.
• How do Sam and Dean not escape in time from the secret service? Where did Ketch go? Crowley and Rowena transport at the first opportunity- so close now?
• Why is the secret service agent giving Sam the evil eye with a camera close up?
• Lucifer is still a bratty, self centered, egotistical  angry archangel / Dabb let the abandonment issue surface again. Anyone else feeling abandoned in season 12?

The writing team for this episode is usually one of the weaker teams of writers. Surprised Dabb would entrust them with such a loaded egg, but I will be patient and see what he pulls together for the second half and hope the meandering turns into a purposeful goal for the Winchesters. There are fruitful seeds planted, let’s see what Dabb produces before  it turns into season 7- some good stand alone episodes with an overarching villain that for me lacked something . There is more story left:hoping Dabb doesn’t turn it into flatus for a younger audience.